Victorian Sardonyx Cameo |
Woman Eternalized in Sardonyx |
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This classic profile of a Victorian woman carved in hardstone, Sardonyx, is set within a plain oval frame surrounded by small gold beads atop of shield shaped pin.
Sardonyx is a banded agate form of Chalcedony Quartz. Hard stone cameos are more difficult to carve than shell which is much softer. Most shell cameos were carved in Naples, Italy while the hard stone cameos were cut primarily in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. The black enamel tracery on this pin is indicative of the mourning period and that this pin was probably memorial jewelry. The pin and frame are gold plated and stamped "Pat'd June 1877".
Cost: Although this beautiful brooch has sold, you will find many more fine brooches in the Antique Brooch Gallery. |
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From the back, you can see a nice solid back within the shield shaped frame. There is also a small curved loop to suspend a pendant watch. And the pin has a traditional Victorian "c" shaped clasp with the pin
stem extending beyond the edge of the jewel.
This cameo and frame are in excellent condition. There are no cracks or chips. There is very very minor enamel loss but overall, the pin is very desirable.
Here are a few more elegant jewels from the past ...
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| Antique Jewelry Gallery Antique Brooch Gallery If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, I can be reached at 978 525-8951 or arthur@jewelryexpert.com.
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